September is National Hunger Action Month. This month we are highlighting organizations in Orange County that are taking action to feed people, empower communities, and solve food insecurity. Today we are launching our series of highlights this month with an article on TABLE, a nonprofit based in Carrboro that serves children county-wide.

What began as a vision to grow more fresh food for local children has become a thriving community partnership. Through a unique collaboration between Orange County, TABLE, Wildflower Lane Farm, and Twin Creeks Farm, more local children are gaining access to fresh, locally grown produce while strengthening the local food system.

TABLE, a local nonprofit feeding more than 1,250 children each week by delivering food directly to the homes of more than 575 children, has partnered with farmer Jim Sander since 2017 to grow produce at Wildflower Lane Farm in Efland. That partnership demonstrated that investing directly in local agriculture could provide children with higher-quality food while stretching donor dollars further than traditional purchasing methods.

In 2025, Orange County expanded that vision by granting TABLE access to up to three acres of farmland at the future Twin Creeks Park. What was once open land has since been transformed into a productive farm growing fresh, organic produce exclusively for the children served by TABLE. Supported by local volunteers, the farm now provides a steady supply of fresh produce such as peppers, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, beets, & greens that is delivered to families within days - or often within hours - of being harvested.

For TABLE, the partnership isn't simply about growing more food - it's about making every donor dollar go further. By partnering directly with local farmers, the organization is able to provide fresh, locally grown, organic produce at a fraction of the retail cost while supporting local agriculture - a model that combines public land, nonprofit investment, local farming expertise, and community volunteers to maximize both financial and community impact.

In its first year, the farm produced more than 110,000 produce items for the 1,250 kids TABLE serves every week. Production is expected to increase, furthering the impact of the TABLE/Twin Creeks partnership on the health and well-being of children living in Orange County.

In addition to growing vegetables, the farm now includes a vibrant flower garden filled with organically grown sunflowers, zinnias, and other seasonal varieties. Seven local restaurants have chosen to purchase these flowers for their dining rooms, with proceeds supporting TABLE's mission.

The impact continues to grow. Since launching the Twin Creeks partnership, TABLE has eliminated its waitlist, expanded service to more children, and strengthened its investment in nutrition education initiatives. Families consistently report improvements in their children's health with 51% of parents saying their children’s physical, emotional, and mental health has improved with food from TABLE.

Learn more at https://tablenc.org/.

This article was written in partnership with Suzanne Tormollen, TABLE's Director of Marketing.